Getting a suit

[Soybomb]

Hey I'm about to finish my BS degree and I'm a casual guy who really never goes to formal stuff so I need to get a nice suit for interviews. I'm sure any local store would be more than happy to fit me and sell me one but with all the student loans I have I'd rather buy online and save some bucks. Any good places to shop online, brands to look for or avoid, and sizing tips?

Things I think I know so far:
I've heard adding about 6 inches to your pants size will approximate the suit size
I've always found them to be hot and uncomfortable in the past, but I've also heard that if you get a nice wool suit its not all that bad. So help me out, what should I get?

 

[gistech1978]

how much do you expect to save online?
i think it would be worth the extra money to go local to have it fit you perfectly and look sharp.
if its a mom and pop type local place, they might even throw in a free tie to go with it. its always worth a shot.
thats just me though.
i havent got fitted for a suit since i was 18 and just one of my dad's old handmedowns now.
so to answer your other questions, i dont know.

 

[Vette73]

If you are normal sized, no large muscles, then go to JC Penney. You can go to their site and get a idea of what they have. A decent suit (slacks and coat) go for around $200.

If you have defination in your arms and/or shoulders then go get a custom one made at a mom and pop place. I have 2 suts but because I lift weights and work out a good deal they are loose around my mid section but tight around my arms and shoulders.

 

[MacBaine]

If you want a suit that looks good, go to a store where all the employees are gay or metro.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: MacBaine
If you want a suit that looks good, go to a store where all the employees are gay or metro.

No way - old crotchety Italian men make the best tailors...

 

[badluck]

JCPenney for a suit? heh...funny. In my opinion, you are trying to look good for your first job. My advice to you is spend a few extra dollars and make your first suit a nice one.

If you are interested in buying a suit online (which is what I do), get someone to measure you. A tailor will do it, or get a friend to do it. Then, head over to overstock.com and pick-up a nice Hugo Boss suit for around $400. Then, take it to a local tailor and have them make adjustments. It will probably cost you $50-$100 depending on what types of measurements need to be made.

 

[slydecix]

You can get some nice suits at JCPenney - they're a lot better than the stuff you'd find at Mens Warehouse

 

[Soybomb]

defined? no i'm actually more of the big and tall section sadly

Cool badluck, I was hoping I could get something decent for $500 so it sounds like I'll be able ot make that budget. I've been looking at some zegna's, good or bad brand?

 

[ManSnake]

A nice suit is a kind of investment, go to your local Neiman Marcus and get a nice Armani suit, well worth the 1k or so you spend on it.

 

[Soybomb]

Ohhh and whats the deal with 3 piece suits? I've always thought they looked kinda nice but I have no idea if they're only supposed to be worn in certain situations or something

 

[JupiterJones]

Originally posted by: badluck
JCPenney for a suit? heh...funny. In my opinion, you are trying to look good for your first job. My advice to you is spend a few extra dollars and make your first suit a nice one.

If you are interested in buying a suit online (which is what I do), get someone to measure you. A tailor will do it, or get a friend to do it. Then, head over to overstock.com and pick-up a nice Hugo Boss suit for around $400. Then, take it to a local tailor and have them make adjustments. It will probably cost you $50-$100 depending on what types of measurements need to be made.

JCPenny "City Streets" suit looks sharp and can be had for under $200. ($100 if on sale). For an inexpensive suit online blair.com usually has some good deals.

Don

 

[atom]

I always thought getting suits on the internet was kinda suspect because you don't really get a good sense of what the fabric and cut is like unless you also go to a real store and find the exact same suit to look at.

 

[Mr N8]

Don't buy a suit based on your pant size + 6". That's just plain stupid. Suit size = chest size. Measure around your torso and chest and you will have the suit size you need.

IMO, get a nice suit for your first. You don't want to look like a cheapskate when you are looking for a job.

 

Don't buy a tailored piece of clothing online.

You go to a store, you get it fitted properly, and you pay the money.

 

[badluck]

Zegna, Armani, Hugo Boss, Canali are all great suits, especially if you can save money by purchasing online. Sure, you can blow $1500 on a great Armani suit in the store, but I was trying to keep things cheap for you. IF you can afford it, go to a store and buy it. I would always suggest that first. I don't have the money yet, so I buy online and have my tailor set adjustments.

Check out gq.com (forums) to get more opinions from people who are conscious of fashion.....

A 2-piece suit will work out just fine. Most of mine are 2-piece...

 

[Yossarian]

3 pc suit? like with a vest? I wouldn't recommend that.

 

[ojai00]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Don't buy a suit based on your pant size + 6". That's just plain stupid. Suit size = chest size. Measure around your torso and chest and you will have the suit size you need.

IMO, get a nice suit for your first. You don't want to look like a cheapskate when you are looking for a job.

Agreed. I got both of my suits from Men's Wearhouse for $400 and $300 respectively. The $300 one was for interviews. If you have a Syms in your area, I'd recommend checking that place out. My friend got a decent suit for about $200 from there. The bad thing is that they don't do the alterations for you so you have to go to a tailor to have it altered.

 

[ggavinmoss]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
3 pc suit? like with a vest? I wouldn't recommend that.

Only get it if you have a monocle and a tophat.

-geoff

 

[Soybomb]

So whats sizing like for those of us with a stomach larger than our chest? Will that screw up sizing or is it cool, stick with the chest size? Now I'll be bad if i start working out and loose the belly and have to buy another expensive suit heh...

 

[azazyel]

If you buy one from Nordstrom.com you can bring it into the store and get minor alterations for free.

 

[Soybomb]

bump for the snappy dressers that just got home

 

[Twista]

wtf is wrong with me?
When i read this title i keep seeing the word "slut"

ok i need some sleep.

 

[patrick409]

I got one from men's wearhouse a month ago. 200 for the suit, 40 for tailoring. Not bad, I like it. If you dont know about sizing, go get measured at the store.

 

[Babbles]

I would go to Men's Wearhouse if I were you. Yes, you could save some money going elsewhere, but Men's Wearhouse does have helluva nice customer service. Escpecially since you are kind of a suite newbie, it would well be worth it to spend a bit extra cash to get taken care of.

Just go in and tell them that you don't know anything about suites and you want one for an interview. At least in my case, they will pick out a few decent looking suits for your objective (usually darker grey type for interviews) then show you a few styles, show you a few nice shirts and ties.

First time I went, the guy kind of went overboard and after I picked out the particular suite he showed me a few different colors of shirts and tie combinations so I could use the same suite but do it a bit different for any following interviews.

Also, it is a must to get it tailored correctly. It is just insane to spend the cash on it, then don't pay the ten bucks here or fifteen bucks there to get it fitted correctly.

Anyhow, to summarize for your first suite shopping experience spend the money and go to Men's Wearhouse. Maybe after that when you know your sizes (much more than just waist size) you can head on over to a discount chain or someplace like JC Penny.

 

[bdjohnson]

go with a thrift store and just try on a sport coat. slacks and shirts arent really expensive.